The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-11-05
ALWAYS ON THE GO.
Buffalo News.


 and you could not get a man to run on the road at all, for the pay is not great and the danger is not little."
 He was trainman on one of the many roads that run out of Buffalo, and had just tinish'd his supper and was quietly enjoying cigar. The girl next door was trying to strike up a filtration with him, but in vain. Nor did she show poor taste. He was young, tall, fair looking, with an ath- letic frame and pair of honest, fear less blue eyes that compelled respect from men and won the hearts of wo- men. He was in a talkatiye mood, and went on, pausing now and then to keep his cigar going.
 "I don't know why it is, but I am never contented except when am on the move. I may be dull and de- pressed when down. town, but the moment the conductor calls out All aboard 7 and the engine pulls out, forget everything except the hustle, rumble, roar, and the swaying of the train. The rapid motion has an exhil- arating effect, and as the trees and fields whiz by my blood begins to jingle.
 "Then a man makes friends at every stopping place, and there is always some one to say good day and good bye at every station. You are always on the go, and there are always old friends and new faces at every turn 1 like the life, and it is the excitement n # thot lyaanc :ol down to it. You must not think we could not do better. Why, have quit two or three times, and did well, too, but could not stand it, so l returned to the life again. Promo tion is slow but sure, and each of us knows that conductors punch will surely come in time if we do our duty. It is all very well to talk of soulless corporations, but railroad appre- ciates an honest employe just as much, If not more, than a bank president does an efficient clerk.
 'I don't know why it is," he went on, after few vigorous puffs, but the brakeman-or trainman, as he is now called-is greater masher than the conductor. The shy country lass, the coy village maid, and the aristocratic city lady all talk to us. One reason is, we are more obliging. We have few of the cares that annoy the con- ductor people are not trying to beat us, and we have no spotters watching us. l suppose it it is necessary to put spies on the conductors, but think as class they are honest. Now and then one yields to pitiful tale, but he is too good judge of human nature to be deceived often. l often think that if the officials had to be tried and tempted as the conductors are they would make as many mistakes of the head and heart. will give you one pointer-if you wish to get ride, make your talk to the conductor be- fore you board the train. He will do just as much for you then as he will when you strike him on board. A man who is honest never gets aboard and tries to beat his way, and no one knows this better than the conductor.
 "No, we seldom get tips" he con- tinued, "and great many of us never take them. Of course, we can pick up many cigars, but they are more in the line of sociability than anything else. We have so many friends along the road that they arc always doing something of the kind. l know one day returned book to an old gentle man who had left it in his seat as he changed cars here. He offered me a dollar, which refused. He then thanked me very gracefully, with a marked English accent. l found out afterward he was Herbert Spencer. was glad then refused the 'tip.'
 "I can give you another instance" i" he, said, after another struggle with his cigar, "and that happened between here and Syracuse. We pulled out one night, and as I walked through the car I saw young girl with a pinched face, dark, sad eyes and a hacking cough. I saw that she was a consumptive, and made up my mind that she was hurrying home to die. was all sympathy at once, and made up my mind that would keep track of her and see that her journey was pleasant as possible. We whirled along, and as went by her saw that she was suffering. Iproffered my ser- vices, and she said she wanted cup of water. I got it, and then fixed the seats and made her bed. gave her all the help l could, and she finally told me her story. She said she had been a student at the Normal School at Albany, but she had broken down during the course of study. Now, ] had cousin there, and told her SO and she knew her. She became more confidential and told me she was going home to die, Nnd that the doc- tors had told her she could not live six months. When we parted turned